Introduction. Some people view Christianity and the Bible as a collection of restrictive “Thou shalt” and “Thou shalt not” commands. Unfortunately, that too often reflects a somewhat prideful or even rebellious attitude of “I know what’s best for me.” or “I don’t need anyone telling me what to do!”
But what if we viewed these commands from the perspective of a loving, creator God who wants what is best for us, like any concerned parent would? For example, what if the Ten Commandments in the Law of Moses (Ex. 20) were the kindest, most protective and caring thing God could tell the Israelites? How might that change our attitude toward New Testament commands for us and the loving God who wants us to obey Him for our own good?
Background. When God spoke the Ten Commandments to the nation of Israel (Ex. 20:22; Deut. 4:36; Neh. 9:13), they had left captivity in the land of Egypt and miraculously crossed the Red Sea only a few months prior (Ex.10:1). And yet they had already lost patience and trust in Moses (and by implication God), accusing him with misleading and mistreating them (Ex. 15:24; 16:2-3, 19-20, 27-28; 17:3,7). In that setting, here’s what God told them…
But what if we viewed these commands from the perspective of a loving, creator God who wants what is best for us, like any concerned parent would? For example, what if the Ten Commandments in the Law of Moses (Ex. 20) were the kindest, most protective and caring thing God could tell the Israelites? How might that change our attitude toward New Testament commands for us and the loving God who wants us to obey Him for our own good?
Background. When God spoke the Ten Commandments to the nation of Israel (Ex. 20:22; Deut. 4:36; Neh. 9:13), they had left captivity in the land of Egypt and miraculously crossed the Red Sea only a few months prior (Ex.10:1). And yet they had already lost patience and trust in Moses (and by implication God), accusing him with misleading and mistreating them (Ex. 15:24; 16:2-3, 19-20, 27-28; 17:3,7). In that setting, here’s what God told them…